The main goal of the project is to provide and use a set of innovative ODL tools for on-line and Internet-based learning, using the methods and techniques of artificial intelligence (AI) and neural networks (NN). The project has a definite educational content, but in order to fully adapt these innovative tools to the learning/teaching of various types of knowledge and to acquiring various types of skills, a part dedicated to development and evaluation had to be included along with the actual practicing of the ODL. Using of machine intelligence brings a new dimension to the flexibility and adaptability required to actively support the learner, avoids the spreading of attention on insignificant details, makes the process more attractive and even removes some of the effort implied by learning/teaching. This approach is expected to result in a new ODL methodology that will support:- Collaborative learning among learners, or between learners and teachers or tutors, assisted by intelligent tools ranging from personal assistants to automatic tutors- Personalized learning by developing each learner's profile and adjusting accordingly the tutoring process- Participative learning, by actively engaging the student in learning experiences- Better understanding of theory and practice by guiding the student in the process of concept formation and understanding from examples.The following activities, organized in eight workpackages, will be carried out during the 3 years of the project:- Provide a model of the collaborative learning process involving human and artificial intelligent agents- Provide a set of tools based on AI&NN techniques to develop innovative ODL systems- Carry out pilot implementations of ODL systems using these tools- Develop a methodology for intelligent ODL production and performance evaluation- Evaluate and disseminate the outcomes of the project for future developments.These activities belong to two of the types supported by MINERVA:
1. Understanding innovation - by enhancing the efficiency and user-friendliness of on-line and Internet-based learning, thus by directly contributing to the larger acceptance of these innovative approaches to education and 2. Designing, developing and testing new methods and educational resources - by investigating and developing a new methodology for intelligent ODL production and performance evaluation, by providing rules and guidelines on how to apply the AI&NN tools to enhance the capabilities of existing ODL resources and to develop new ones.Each partner has well established contacts with other groups working in the field of education and with industrial companies interested in staff professional up-grading. The consortium brings together a considerable expertise in teaching, specifically in the field of ODL, as well as in AI & NN, image and signal processing, high performance computing and networking. This provides an almost ideal context to carry out the multidisciplinary activities implied by the complex topic of the project. The project will result in a self-sustained professional network for which the present consortium represents the nucleus. By its long-term effects, the project will have not only a significant professional impact but also substantial economic and social effects.

Runtime: 2000 - 2004